[Miscellaneous] Reflecting on the surge of fatal motorcycle accidents during Golden Week. The iron-clad rules for protecting life that I feel in the maintenance shop

Is it just that the speed of information delivery has improved dramatically, making accidents more noticeable??
Are accidents really increasing that much…?
I haven’t checked the statistics. But the reality is that accidents are catching my eye.

How can we enjoy motorcycling as a hobby safely and for a long time without injury?
This is an eternal question.

Recent major statistical topics

• Overall picture of fatalities: In 2025, total traffic fatalities reached 2,547 , marking the lowest figure since statistics began, but two-wheeled vehicle riders account for 18.7% of that, an increase of 0.4 percentage points from the previous year.
• Major accident causes and injury sites:
  • Commute times: According to recent data (such as in Tokyo), more than half of fatal accidents (approximately 54%) occur during commute and after-work hours.
  • Injury sites: The head remains the most common injury site at approximately 54%, followed by the chest. The importance of helmet retention and protective gear is being reconfirmed.
• 2026 forecast: As we enter 2026, how to reduce accidents among elderly moped riders and young motorcycle riders remains a major challenge. Particularly during April’s “Spring National Traffic Safety Campaign,” the proportion of elderly riders remains high at approximately 66%.

Some accidents can’t be prevented. Safe driving alone isn’t enough

Most accidents might not be your fault.

Could there be a car making a U-turn just beyond that blind corner?
Could a car suddenly emerge from that side street?
Could the car behind you rear-end you while you’re stopped at a light or in traffic?
Could a car turn right in front of you even though you have the right of way?
Could you get rear-ended after yielding to a pedestrian?

It’s important to imagine these scenarios.
It’s hard to react reflexively the first time you encounter something. Imagine these scenarios in your mind beforehand and ask yourself, “What would I do? Would I avoid it?”
It’s also good to reduce your speed in advance. Wearing visible clothing and practicing how to appeal to other drivers is also worthwhile.
Watching that video during your license renewal course and thinking about what could have been done differently is incredibly valuable.

Imagine scenarios and dramatically reduce the probability of an accident

Simply driving safely and following traffic laws isn’t enough.

That’s because most accidents involve another party. Based on my own experience of having been in many accidents…
Vehicle-to-vehicle collisions were almost always due to the other driver’s carelessness.

• They made a sudden U-turn because they took a wrong turn.
• Right-angle collision: I thought they were yielding to me.
• Right-angle collision: They didn’t see me / thought they could turn right.
• They changed lanes without checking their mirror.
• The other driver was drunk. ← The worst case
There are more examples, but interestingly, “most happen when I’m riding leisurely.” I feel like.
In any case, simply anticipating or imagining these scenarios makes a dramatic difference in how often you get startled.

1. Proportion of all accidents (injury accidents)

Most motorcycle accidents that occur are vehicle-to-vehicle collisions at intersections and similar locations.

• Vehicle-to-vehicle (with another party): Approximately 80–85%
  • Right-angle collisions (between a turning vehicle and a straight-moving motorcycle) are typical.
  • Head-on collisions and rear-end collisions are also included.
• Single-vehicle accidents: Approximately 15–20%
  • These are crashes where the rider can’t make the curve and crashes, or collides with fixed objects like guardrails.

2. Changes in the proportion of fatal accidents

When limited to “accidents that result in death,” the numbers change dramatically. According to the latest analysis from the National Police Agency (as of end of 2025), the following trends are evident:

Accident type	Proportion (fatal accidents)	Characteristics
Vehicle-to-vehicle	Approximately 60%	Head-on and right-angle collisions, etc. While the impact is sometimes distributed due to the presence of another vehicle, the risk of being thrown from the motorcycle is high.
Single-vehicle accident	Approximately 35–40%	Collisions with guardrails or utility poles. Excessive speed is often the primary cause, and the fatality rate is notably high.

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3. Why do single-vehicle accidents have such high fatality rates?

Motorcycle single-vehicle accidents tend to result in death for two main reasons:

1. Collision with “hard fixed objects”: Guardrails, curbs, and utility poles absorb no impact whatsoever. Even at speeds around 40 km/h, direct collision with these objects often results in fatal injuries.
2. Excessive speed: In situations without other traffic (late-night empty roads or mountain passes), speeds tend to increase, and the energy involved in a crash becomes extremely large.